I had one of those moments, you know the ones that occur every now and then when you try on your jeans – you know the ones that if you can’t fit into them, you know you have to cut down on the cakes – and they were a little too snug for comfort. I knew exactly why they were too snug, and I knew exactly what I needed to do. It was to make this dip and to snack on it instead of snacking on other less healthy options. I find that when I am peckish, especially around the witching hour of 4pm, I need something crunchy and this dip is great as it gives a nice plain cracker some pretty colour as well as a fabulous taste. It’s also pretty easy with a total of 3 (or 4) ingredients although I will say that most of the work is in the actual preparation of the beetroot.
This is a seriously great dip and I think this was helped along by two things that I bought in the Easter Show’s Best of Show Deli bag: the fabulous Pane Croccante by Brasserie Bread that I served it with from and the ambrosially creamy Country Valley Lush natural yogurt. I didn’t use any fresh herbs as I only had basil and I wasn’t sure if that would work but rest assured it is good without them. Something that I do find is that with beetroot you do get an “earthy” or “dirt” flavour but I didn’t detect any with this dip. And did I mention the jeans now fit again?
Healthy Beetroot Dip
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
- 3 fresh beetroots
- 5 cloves good quality garlic
- 250ml natural Greek style yogurt
- fresh herbs like dill or mint (optional)
- crackers to serve
1. Preheat oven to 200c/400F. Wash beetroot and trim the tops so that 1-2cms remain (about an inch). Place trimmed beetroot on a baking tray along with the garlic still in it’s skin and cover with foil and bake for 1 hour until it becomes soft. Cool thoroughly and then place your surgeon’s latex gloves on and peel the skin off. Cut into quarters and remove garlic from skin.
2. Place the beetroot pieces, garlic, yogurt and herbs if using and process until well blended. Scrape down sides once or twice just to make sure it is combined.
3. Break up croccante and serve with dip.
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35 Comments | Add your own
Looks excellent – I do love beetroot. Have never bought it fresh even though it looks so pretty in bunches at the market.
I make a beetroot risotto with buffalo mozzarella and that is the best combination.
Sounds lovely, I noticed you used the naturally sweetened Lush yogurt, does that improve the taste?
Ni N, where did you get the dip bowl from? Love the shape.
That looks lovely! I like beets but never use them. I’ll have to try this with my yogurt sometime
What perfect timing! I have 2 beetroots sitting in my fridge, waiting for something like this. Now if only i can coax my oven into working, i’ll be set!
Look at that gorgeous colour! I love beetroot, and I think that last night I had that jeans moment you described
This reminds me of my favorite Russian beet salad. I had it in Kiev a few years ago and fell head over heel in love with it even though I never considered myself a fan of beet. I have a feeling I will like this beet dip a lot too. And, hey, if it helps get me back into my jeans, why not?
Hey, I was the first commenter! Yes! Yes! Yes!
(I’m gonna go get a life now …)
I love the color, so vibrant that it just has to be good for you. I really love your bowl, so cool.
I adore beetroot, and love even more than this recipe is low fat!! Hooray!
Wow, such a beautiful, vibrant dish, and so healthy too! The best of all culinary worlds!
Very pretty dip (and dip bowl).
What a beautiful looking dip! Sounds so healthy and delicious;something that I will definately want to try to make.
I love the bowl! Not a big fan of beetroot but love the colour.
mmm – that looks good – I know the feeling of needing some healthy food – made a dip for myself last week for exactly the same reason!
Around 3:30-4 is the witching hour for me too! I’m trying to eat nuts at the moment to replace the junk. Your dip looks like a good snack for covering lots of food groups.
Hi Esz-It looks so intriguing in those bunches yes!
Thanks sounds DIVINE! 
Hi Sally-I think it did as it was so lush and creamy. I think a nice thick greek style yogurt always tastes the best
Hi Big M-Oddly enough, it’s actually a spoon rest we got as a gift ages ago! I neveruse it as a spoon rest as it takes up too
much room in my small kitchen but I thought it would be rather cool as a dip bowl!
Hi anna-Cool! I loved it and it was so delicious for something so healthy
Hi Nic -Ahh great timing indeed! Oh no your oven is being temperamental?
Hi Steph-Aww poor thing! It’s an awful moment indeed but it’s always good when you know there’s something you can do about
it!
Hi Leela-OH yes Russian beet salad and vorscht are wonderful! Haha exactly! Ah sorry there were some comments before but I
was asleep when they came through so didn’t get to approve them until this morning
Hi Bethie-Thanks so much-I love the colour too! Can you believe that it’s a spoon rest?
Hi Lulu-Yes yay for low fat and tasty!
Hi Astra=The colour is amazing isn’t it! Yes I loved that too
Hi Anita -Thankyou so much! It’s a spoon rest
Hi yaelian -Thankyou! It’s so easy too!
D
Hi pigpigscorner-Thanks-it’s a spoon rest of all things!
Hi Johanna-Yes with winter and all of that nice comfort food coming up, I really needed to have this!
Hi Arwen-Yes I don’t know anyone that isn’t vulnerable at that time
yes dairy apparently fills you up too which is good to stave off the hunger pangs until dinner!
Hey there Lorraine….no good those jeanie moments; been there, done that!! This dip is serious good stuff. Never did much with the beets I bought a while ago, but this dip means business. Love the colour…mmmm, & if it has yogurt, it’s gotta ROCK!!
I’ve never had anything like this, but I love dips and this healthy beetroot version sounds to good to pass up (love the color too—so pretty)!
I like beetroot dip a lot – have made it once (for DB) and used to buy it often at Cleos at Prahran. Yours looks good. LOL at “Lush” yoghurt – a great brand.
Oh yes, that yoghurt was soooo good. I’m very glad to discover that they also sell the wares at Eveleigh…
that’s a very pretty dip! I love healthy dips to indulge in…and I know exactly what you mean about sometimes putting on those jeans and realising thatyou’ve been overindulging a bit too much…I struggle constantly with wanting to eat good food and trying to balance it all with a well rounded diet
I always find things that contain beetroot so cheery. Must have something to do with that intense colour. I’ve never attempted to make my own beetroot dip, but this recipe looks easy enough
what a GORGEOUS hue! i’ve been looking for ways to use more greek yogurt, and although i don’t know the first thing about beet preparation, i’ve taken note! i love your spoon rest-bowl-type dish, too.
Hi deeba-They are terrible aren’t they!
Yes this dip is seriously good 
Hi Sandie-It’s really great and nice and light. Just use the best yogurt you cna find and it’s fantastic. PLus, as you say, it’s pretty!
Hi Cakelaw-I wonder how the taste compares to the Cleo’s one. Some I find still have that “dirt” taste but this one doesn’t which is why I liked it
Hi Reemski -Yes everything in that deli bag was phenomenal! Oh good to know.
Hi Alexandra-Thankyou!
I know, it’s a constant battle-arrgh!!
Hi Maria-I agree! It’s so bright and pink and so unlike other savoury food
It’s very easy!
Hi grace-Thankyou! The hardest bit is the beet preparation but that’s more patience than anything. Thanks! I stashed it in the cupboard not thinking that I’d use it-til now!
Very very delicious! It has everything healthy in it with an awesome color & appeal!
Poor beets so misunderstood and hated by many. I love them and am always trying to find new ways to have fun with them.
This dip sounds perfect and on a side note congrats on the jeans.
It’s like borscht but in dip form! This looks delicious!
Mmm! Must try this one! Love beetroot!
(Sorry I posted 2 comments in the sakae post-im on my phone and it said there was an error so I posted another! If you could delete one that would be great!):)
Wonderful! I love beets and will have to give this a try.
It does look good, but your jeans fit already! How much extra poundage did you gain? 0.0002lbs! haha
Hi Soma -thankyou! Yes I just love that colour and the fact that it’s healthy!
Hi Jeff-yes so many ppl hate them!
Hehe thankyou! I felt so triumphant! 
Hi Alwaysroom4dessert-yes and I love borscht too!
Hi Carolyn -Oh cool! Well beetroot lovers will adore this
No problems 
Hi Libby-Cool, I’d love to know what you think of it!
Hi ArtemisIII-I know but I don’t like really, really tight jeans
i love the color of this dip! its beautiful!
Love beetroot dip,,,,never made it myself though,,,Guess its never to late to give it a shot:).
I’ve just made your recipe (with our home grown beetroom) – really love it thank you very much!
Do you know if you can freeze this recipe?
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